The Haves and Have Nots: Speedo's High-Tech Suit That Is Dividing The Swim World

[gatorboy]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080623/sp_nm/olympics_swimsuits_dc_2

A revolutionary bodysuit has divided the world of swimming into the haves and the have nots just weeks before the Beijing Olympics, testing relationships between federations, athletes and rival suppliers.

Australian and U.S. swimmers and others wearing the Speedo LZR Racer suit have set 38 world records since its introduction in February. Australian Libby Lenton said it made her feel she was swimming downhill.

As the buzz has grown -- an LZR is even on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in an exhibit on superheroes -- swimmers using other equipment are weighing the merits of breaking existing contracts and switching to Speedo.

And rival manufacturers are rushing to upgrade their bodysuits to a level that will satisfy swimmers and federations desperate to win medals in Beijing in August.

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. ummm...I kinda like the suit

But, that's just me :evilgrin:

[Romulox]

8. Doesn't really compliment the female form in the same way...

too bad...

[devilgrrl]

2. Personally, I think they should have to swim butt naked.

:shrug:

[gatorboy]

3. How cruel can you be?

Think of the waxing! :scared:

[skooooo]

10. Parts could get tangled up too..

..that would be scary.

[texanwitch]

4. I really like this new.swim wear.

The suit looks nice and tight.

[msongs]

5. its all about money - swimming is now a commercial for profit activity nt

[highplainsdem]

6. Link to an ABC/ESPN story:

http://a.abcnews.com/Sports/story?id=4766213&page=1

[Mojorabbit]

7. Well if they can make a competition suit that

can do this,
"The LZR suit, designed with help from U.S. space agency NASA, keeps swimmers in a corset-like grip" then
I want one for myself with extra grip in the belly area and a normal grip everywhere else. I'd pay good money for that.:)

[SoCalDem]

9. The olympic committee just needs to make them all wear the same suit

no advantage that way :)

Original olympians were naked..although the wrinkly ones may have slower times..from the drag :)